As the 2026 NBA Draft looms on the horizon, the topic of tanking has once again taken center stage in the basketball world. With teams at the bottom of the standings eyeing the draft's promising prospects like Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, and Duke’s Cameron Boozer, the debate over intentionally losing games to secure a higher draft pick has heated up.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia recently voiced his strong opposition to the practice, calling it a "losing behavior done by losers" on social media. He emphasized that tanking is embarrassing for the league and undermines its integrity.
The NBA has long grappled with the issue of tanking. Although the league has implemented measures like the draft lottery to discourage it, the practice persists.
This season, with two months remaining, several teams appear to be embracing tanking earlier than usual, sparking widespread discussion about its ethics. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has acknowledged the problem and is actively seeking solutions.
He recently fined the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers for questionable roster-management decisions, highlighting the league's commitment to addressing the issue.
To combat tanking, the NBA plans to introduce strict anti-tanking rules for the 2026-27 season. These include freezing lottery odds at the trade deadline and preventing teams from picking in the top-4 in consecutive years. The league is exploring various strategies to ensure competitive integrity, and these proposals are part of ongoing discussions among team executives.
While some, like Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban, advocate for embracing tanking as a strategic move to build future success, others, including Ishbia, argue that it damages the sport's competitive spirit. Cuban believes that tanking can offer hope to fans by improving a team's chances of acquiring top talent through the draft, trades, and salary cap space. He cites the Mavericks' past success, including landing Luka Doncic and Cooper Flagg, as examples of tanking's potential benefits.
However, the Mavericks' recent struggles, marked by injuries and disappointing performances, have reignited their reliance on tanking to enhance their draft position. In contrast, the Suns, who do not own their 2026 first-round pick due to a previous trade, have no incentive to tank, which may explain the differing perspectives of Ishbia and Cuban.
Ishbia's criticism of tanking extends beyond the basketball court, likening it to a scandal that harms both fans and teams genuinely competing for playoff spots. He calls for significant changes under Adam Silver's leadership to eradicate this behavior and restore the league's integrity. As the NBA continues to navigate this complex issue, the conversation around tanking remains as relevant as ever, with fans and teams eagerly watching how the league will address it moving forward.